Adjuster for changing a length of a jewelry string loop

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a string adjuster for lengthening or shortening jewelry chains, threads, ropes, or other materials with layering capability/adjustments. The string adjuster may take on any decorative shapes to be a clip or a charm. For example, an adjuster for changing a length of a string loop formed by the adjuster may include two or more channels for receiving the string. One of the two or more channels provides a tight fit to the string. The adjuster further includes an anchor disposed in another one of the two or more channels for affixing an end of the string to the adjuster.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-provisional U.S. Patent Application, whichclaims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.63/234,241, entitled “CLIP OR CHARM FOR LENGTHENING OR SHORTENINGJEWELRY CHAINS, THREADS, ROPES, OR OTHER MATERIALS WITH ADDEDNECKLACE-LAYERING CAPABILITY,” filed on Aug. 17, 2021, and the U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/239,941, entitled “CLIP OR CHARM FORLENGTHENING OR SHORTENING JEWELRY CHAINS, THREADS, ROPES OR OTHERMATERIALS WITH AN ADDED NECKLACE-LAYERING CAPABILITY,” filed on Sep. 2,2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to jewelry stringadjusters, such as necklace or bracelet adjusters.

BACKGROUND

A jewelry or decorative string, such as a necklace or bracelet, oftenneeds a connecter to connect both ends of the string without causingunpleasant or conspicuous interruption to the string's appearance.Conventionally, this is achieved by a connector shaped as a lobster clawthat is durable and blends with the string. However, such connectors maybe cumbersome to use (e.g., being small to match the string) or may notpermit other adjustments of the string (e.g., length adjustment,layering, or avoid entanglement, etc.). A string connector that allowsfor various adjustments of the string and provides integral aestheticsis therefore desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example string adjuster in a closed position,according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates the example string adjuster of FIG. 1 in an openposition, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates the example string adjuster of FIG. 2 in the openposition with a string positioned therein, according to aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate various examples of the string adjuster of FIG. 1used in different configurations, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate an example string adjuster, according to aspectsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example string adjustment process using theexample string adjuster of FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

Like numerals indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments and aspects of the disclosures will be describedwith reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawingswill illustrate the various embodiments. The following description anddrawings are illustrative of the disclosure and are not to be construedas limiting the disclosure. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventionaldetails are not described in order to provide a concise discussion ofembodiments of the present disclosures.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least oneembodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarilyall refer to the same embodiment.

The present disclosure provides a string adjuster for lengthening orshortening jewelry chains, threads, ropes, or other materials withlayering capability/adjustments. The string adjuster may take on anydecorative shapes to be a clip or a charm. For example, an adjuster forchanging a length of a string loop formed by the adjuster may includetwo or more channels for receiving the string. One of the two or morechannels provides a tight fit to the string. The adjuster furtherincludes an anchor disposed in another one of the two or more channelsfor affixing an end of the string to the adjuster. The string mayinclude an elongate body having two ends, such as any chain, wire, rope,or thread for necklaces, bracelets, and the like. The elongate body hasan outer surface to be engaged with the string adjuster.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the adjuster herein maybe used in the jewelry or clothing industry as a fastener charm/clip.The disclosed adjustment methods may enable lengthening and shorteningof a single necklace, bracelet, anklet, or other material with a chain,string, rope, rod, or similar component. The adjuster also allows a userto create a multi-layered chain, rope, string, rod, fabric, necklace, orbracelet appearance from a single chain, string, rope, rod, or othermaterial.

Conventional jewelry string connectors, such as lobster claws or clasps,are difficult to use due to their small sizes and requirements to engagesmall openings. Such connectors also cannot provide users the options tocreate layered configurations or to adjust the length of the strings.The adjuster disclosed herein allows a user to conveniently connect anopen-ended string into a loop with layering options and lengthadjustments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example string adjuster in a closed position,according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the stringadjuster includes two or more channels 2, a two-halved housing 4 hingedby the hinge 3. Although the string adjuster is illustrated as a heartpendant, the string adjuster may be shaped into any form having thechannels 2, the hinge 3, and the housing 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates the example string adjuster 1 of FIG. 1 in an openposition, according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, inthe housing 4 is rotatable about the hinge 3 when opened. A tight-fit,friction-fit, or magnetic connectors 8 and 9 may allow the two-halves ofthe housing 4 to be held securely in the closed position. An optionalprotrusion 5 may be provided to facilitate opening. The two or morechannels 2 may include respective inner surfaces 7 for receiving astring.

At least one of the two or more channels 2 may, when the string adjusteris in the closed position, provide a tight fit to the string (e.g., 10or 11 of FIG. 3 ), such that an intentional force is required to movethe string relative to the string adjuster. For example, an internalforce may be a force greater than the gravitational force (e.g., bothdynamic or static) of the string adjuster. For example, the tight-fitmay prevent the string adjuster to move relative to the string when theuser is running or jumping, while does not prevent the user fromforcibly adjust the relative position when desired (e.g., by pulling thestring relative to the adjuster).

In some cases, the string adjuster may include a cavity 7 for weightsaving or storage purposes.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the string adjuster 1 includes an anchor 6disposed in one of the two or more channels 2 for affixing an end 10 ofthe string to the string adjuster 1. For example, the anchor 6 securesthe string to the string adjuster so that pulling on the adjuster 1 willresult in movement of the string in other channels 2 not including theanchor 6.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate various examples of the string adjuster of FIG. 1used in different configurations, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4-5 , two of the string adjusters 1 may beused to connect/hold a jewelry string. The two string adjusters 1 may bepulled to adjust the total length of the loop, as well as to createlayering designs shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (e.g., two layers of strings inthe back or in the front).

In some cases, the string adjuster 1 includes a first half providing atleast a first concave surface 7 of the two or more channels; and asecond half providing at least a second concave surface 7 of the two ormore channels. The first half and the second half of the adjuster 1 arehinged by the hinge 3 and rotatable thereof between an open position anda closed position. The adjuster 1 in the open position may thereforereceive the string in one or more of the two or more channels withoutinsertion. In some cases, the anchor 6 affixes to the end of the stringwhen the adjuster 1 is in the open position. The anchor 6 may beseparately detached from the channel 2 to be affixed onto the end of thestring (e.g., by assertion, clamping, or the like).

In some cases, the components of the adjuster may be made from precious,semi-precious or non-precious, noble or base metals, plastics, or thelike. Silicone or a foam material can be used to line the inside of thecharm clip, but other materials may be used instead or along with thesematerials. For typical jewelries, brass, silver, gold, platinum, or thelike will likely be used.

In some cases, the string adjuster may be made in any size. If used inother industries, sizes may be larger or smaller than what would betypical in the jewelry industry. For the purpose of necklace design, theclips are meant to accentuate the design of the necklace, as it is acharm. It is also meant for functionality. Both of these must be takeninto account when designing. Furthermore, the clips must be designedwith a height, length and width compatible with the thickness and lengthof the chain being used. For use with a 1 mm to 2 mm width necklacechain, a clip will have dimensions very close to the following:Height—3mm to 9mm; Length (from front)—3 mm to 9 mm; Width (front toback)—2 mm to 4 mm. Thicker or thinner chains will require adjustmentsin dimensions as will various shapes (i.e., a circle-shaped charm clipused on a 1 mm chain may have a 7 mm diameter and a 3.5 mm width,whereas a square-shaped charm clip used on a 1.5 mm chain may have an 8mm by 8 mm H×L and a 4 mm width).

In some cases, based on the designer's or manufacturer's needs, thestring adjuster may be with or without the hinge that allows for removalof the string. A manufacturer may permanently affix the adjuster to thechain or the like. Based on the designer's preference, the input oroutput holes can be arranged on the top and bottom of the clip or on thesides of the clip. If the holes are placed on the sides of thecharm-clip, then the pivoting mechanism may be placed on the top orbottom of the clip. The clip can be designed with a single input/outputhole or multiple holes, based on the designer's preference. Two holes atthe bottom of the clip may not be necessary, as there may only be asingle input/output on one side of the clip. Also, multiple mountingclips may be added to the design, based on the amount of chains, ropes,strings, rods, fabrics, necklaces, bracelets or similar are desired inthe design.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate an example string adjuster, according to aspectsof the present disclosure. As shown, the string adjuster may include twoor more channels 805 for receiving a string to be connected or adjusted.A first button 810 has a first opening 830 alignable with the one of thetwo or more channels 805. Similarly, a second button 820 has a secondopening alignable with the other one of the two or more channels. Aresilient deformable member 815 (such as a spring, a piece of rubber,silicone, or the like) may offset the first opening 830 of the firstbutton 810 from the one of the two or more channels 805. In some cases(for example, without the separator 835 as shown in FIG. 8A), the sameresilient deformable member 815 may also offset the second opening ofthe second button 820 from the other one of the two or more channels. Insome cases, as shown in FIG. 8A, a respective resilient member is usedto offset the second opening of the second button 820.

Turning to both FIGS. 8A and 8C, the first button 810 is in a depressed,open position 850 for receiving an end of a string (not shown) via thealigned opening 802; and the second button 820 is in a default, closedposition 855 for securing another end of the string by creating theoffset 804. FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the string adjuster. FIG.8D illustrates a perspective view of the string adjuster.

In some cases, the first button 810 is depressed to align the firstopening with the one of the two or more channels for receiving thestring. The second button 820 is depressed to align the second openingwith the other one of the two or more channels for receiving the string.The offset 804 forms an anchor (similar to the anchor 6 of the stringadjuster 1 of FIG. 1 ). The anchor may be formed by either one of thefirst button and the second button after the string has been received inthe respective one of the two or more channels such that the firstbutton or the second button prevents movement of the string in therespective one of the two or more channels.

In some cases, the anchor may be a permanent attachment affixing an endof the string to the channel 830 of the adjuster and allows the adjusterto be simplified to have a single button for length or layeringadjustment. For example, the other one of the first button and thesecond button without the biting offset is configured to provide africtional fit for the string to slide relative to the corresponding oneof the two or more channels.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example string adjustment process 900 using theexample string adjuster of FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

The example string adjustment process 900 may begin, at 910, byreceiving the string in two or more channels of the adjuster. Receivingthe string in the two or more channels of the adjuster may includetight-fitting the string in one of the two or more channels.

At 920, an end of the string is affixed to the adjuster by an anchordisposed in another one of the two or more channels.

In aspects, the string adjustment process 900 may further include:providing at least a first concave surface in a first half of the two ormore channels of the adjuster for receiving the string; and providing atleast a second concave surface in a second half of the two or morechannels of the adjuster for receiving the string and forming a channelproviding a tight-fit to the string when the first and the second halvesare mated together.

In some cases, the string adjustment process 900 may further includecoupling the first half and the second half by a hinge between an openposition and a closed position, wherein the adjuster in the openposition receives the string in one or more of the two or more channelswithout insertion.

In some cases, the string adjustment process 900 may further includeaffixing the anchor to the end of the string when the adjuster is in theopen position.

In aspects, the string adjustment process 900 may further include:providing a first button having a first opening alignable with the oneof the two or more channels and providing a second button having asecond opening alignable with the other one of the two or more channels.The string adjustment process 900 may further include offsetting, by aresilient deformable member, the first opening of the first button fromthe one of the two or more channels, the second opening of the secondbutton from the other one of the two or more channels, or both.

In some cases, the string adjustment process 900 may further includedepressing the first button to align the first opening with the one ofthe two or more channels for receiving the string, depressing the secondbutton to align the second opening with the other one of the two or morechannels for receiving the string, and biting, by the anchor, on thestring such that the first button or the second button prevents movementof the string in the respective one of the two or more channels. Theanchor may include a biting offset formed by one of the first button andthe second button after the string has been received in the respectiveone of the two or more channels; and another one of the first button andthe second button without the biting offset is configured to provide africtional fit for the string to slide relative to the corresponding oneof the two or more channels.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not described with referenceto any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that avariety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachingsof embodiments of the disclosure as described herein.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the disclosure have beendescribed with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. Itwill be evident that various modifications may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as setforth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than arestrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjuster for changing a length of a stringloop formed by the adjuster, the adjuster comprising: two or morechannels for receiving the string, wherein one of the two or morechannels provides a tight fit to the string; and an anchor disposed inanother one of the two or more channels for affixing an end of thestring to the adjuster.
 2. The adjuster of claim 1, further comprising:a first half providing at least a first concave surface of the two ormore channels; and a second half providing at least a second concavesurface of the two or more channels.
 3. The adjuster of claim 2, furthercomprising: a hinge for coupling the first half and the second halfbetween an open position and a closed position, wherein the adjuster inthe open position receives the string in one or more of the two or morechannels without insertion.
 4. The adjuster of claim 3, wherein theanchor affixes to the end of the string when the adjuster is in the openposition.
 5. The adjuster of claim 1, further comprising: a first buttonhaving a first opening alignable with the one of the two or morechannels; a second button having a second opening alignable with theother one of the two or more channels; and a resilient deformable memberoffsetting the first opening of the first button from the one of the twoor more channels, the second opening of the second button from the otherone of the two or more channels, or both.
 6. The adjuster of claim 5,wherein: the first button is depressed to align the first opening withthe one of the two or more channels for receiving the string, the secondbutton is depressed to align the second opening with the other one ofthe two or more channels for receiving the string, and the anchorcomprises a biting offset formed by one of the first button and thesecond button after the string has been received in the respective oneof the two or more channels such that the first button or the secondbutton prevents movement of the string in the respective one of the twoor more channels.
 7. The adjuster of claim 6, wherein another one of thefirst button and the second button without the biting offset isconfigured to provide a frictional fit for the string to slide relativeto the corresponding one of the two or more channels.
 8. A stringcomprising: an elongated body; and an adjuster having two or morechannels for receiving the elongated body and an anchor disposed inanother one of the two or more channels for affixing an end of theelongated body to the adjuster, wherein one of the two or more channelsprovides a tight fit to an outer surface of the elongated body.
 9. Thestring of claim 8, wherein the adjuster comprises: a first halfproviding at least a first concave surface of the two or more channels;and a second half providing at least a second concave surface of the twoor more channels, wherein either the first concave surface or the secondconcave surface conforms to the outer surface of the elongated body. 10.The string of claim 9, wherein the adjuster further comprises: a hingefor coupling the first half and the second half between an open positionand a closed position, wherein the adjuster in the open positionreceives the elongated body in one or more of the two or more channelswithout insertion.
 11. The string of claim 10, wherein the anchoraffixes to the end of the elongated body when the adjuster is in theopen position.
 12. The string of claim 8, wherein the adjuster furthercomprises: a first button having a first opening alignable with the oneof the two or more channels; a second button having a second openingalignable with the other one of the two or more channels; and aresilient deformable member offsetting the first opening of the firstbutton from the one of the two or more channels, the second opening ofthe second button from the other one of the two or more channels, orboth.
 13. The string of claim 12, wherein: the first button is depressedto align the first opening with the one of the two or more channels forreceiving the elongated body, the second button is depressed to alignthe second opening with the other one of the two or more channels forreceiving the elongated body, and the anchor comprises a biting offsetformed by one of the first button and the second button after theelongated body has been received in the respective one of the two ormore channels such that the first button or the second button preventsmovement of the elongated body in the respective one of the two or morechannels.
 14. The string of claim 13, wherein another one of the firstbutton and the second button without the biting offset is configured toprovide a frictional fit for the elongated body to slide relative to thecorresponding one of the two or more channels.
 15. A method for changinga length of a string loop formed by an adjuster, the method comprising:receiving the string in two or more channels of the adjuster, whereinreceiving the string in the two or more channels of the adjustercomprises tight-fitting the string in one of the two or more channels;and affixing an end of the string to the adjuster by an anchor disposedin another one of the two or more channels.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising: providing at least a first concave surface in afirst half of the two or more channels of the adjuster for receiving thestring; and providing at least a second concave surface in a second halfof the two or more channels of the adjuster for receiving the string andforming a channel providing a tight-fit to the string when the first andthe second halves are mated together.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising: coupling the first half and the second half by ahinge between an open position and a closed position, wherein theadjuster in the open position receives the string in one or more of thetwo or more channels without insertion.
 18. The method of claim 17,further comprising affixing the anchor to the end of the string when theadjuster is in the open position.
 19. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: providing a first button having a first opening alignablewith the one of the two or more channels; providing a second buttonhaving a second opening alignable with the other one of the two or morechannels; and offsetting, by a resilient deformable member, the firstopening of the first button from the one of the two or more channels,the second opening of the second button from the other one of the two ormore channels, or both.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:depressing the first button to align the first opening with the one ofthe two or more channels for receiving the string, depressing the secondbutton to align the second opening with the other one of the two or morechannels for receiving the string, and biting, by the anchor, on thestring such that the first button or the second button prevents movementof the string in the respective one of the two or more channels,wherein: the anchor comprises a biting offset formed by one of the firstbutton and the second button after the string has been received in therespective one of the two or more channels; and another one of the firstbutton and the second button without the biting offset is configured toprovide a frictional fit for the string to slide relative to thecorresponding one of the two or more channels.